Hood to appeal ruling in embezzlement case

ABERDEEN — Attorney General Jim Hood says he will appeal a federal judge’s order overturning the convictions of a North Mississippi couple sent to prison for embezzlement.

At the same time, Hood, in a motion filed this week, asked U.S. District Judge W. Allen Pepper to withhold any order for a new trial for Michael and Marie Salts until the appeal is heard by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Pepper agreed this past week with a magistrate’s finding that the couple were denied a fair trial in 2005.

The Saltses were convicted of embezzling from an insurance company and sentenced to 10 years.

Marie Salts recently completed her time and is on house arrest. Her husband was denied the possibility of parole because of a previous conviction.